In the chapter concerning energy storage and processing, Lieberman tells a set of truths that every person, especially the one living in the USA has to bear in mind. Now, people are talking about healthy lifestyles and healthy eating, but they are unprepared to quit their habits. I have always known that all products in moderate quantities are important and, more importantly, people should have active lives to spend the energy they gain from products. I agree with Lieberman who states that “too much energy… can cause many mismatch diseases” (Lieberman 251). Of course, eating products containing a lot of sugar and fat is harmful as people simply cannot process those huge amounts of energy that are stored in the body. The most striking element of the chapter for me is the approach the author uses. Lieberman explains that genetics and people’s past are responsible for such issues. Evolution and genetics are strong pieces of evidence and it becomes clear why people cannot afford to live inappropriate lifestyles. It turns out that we are simply unable to process too much energy.
The chapter is closely connected with the issue many people in developed countries face. Obesity and excessive weight are haunting people in the USA. There are so many talks about the issue on TV. People are blaming producers of products, restaurant chains, civilization, and its comforts. However, they forget about their responsibility. They simply forget what it means to be a human. I believe all those overweight people should stop blaming everyone and participating in those programs where they are trained to become hot. People should focus on their activities and lifestyles. Lieberman states that humans have always been on the move, so the key to solving the problem is on the surface (and in the chapter). People should do more and make correct choices when it comes to food. They should move more, and they should also understand that the brain also needs energy so starving oneself can lead to inefficient development of the body and insufficient brain capacity.
There are various works on human dietary habits, which shows that the topic is still a burning one. For instance, Vaclav Smil notes that despite the recent focus on vegetarianism people should not forget that they are omnivores. Again, evolution and genetics are used to prove that people need all types of products to fuel the development of their brains and bodies. Thus, it is stated that people are a “perfect example of an omnivorous species with a high degree of natural preferences for meat consumption” (Smil par. 4). The article is a reliable source as it is published in a scientific magazine. I would recommend it to all (as supplementary material to the book) as it is written in simple language and it helps understand an important thing: people need all types of products but they need to consume them wisely.
Lieberman refers to Speakman’s research. The researcher is trying to explain “the genetic predisposition to obesity” (Speakman 5). The author notes that particular genes are responsible for people’s predisposition to obesity and some people are more vulnerable to the disease than others. This is an important source that makes Lieberman’s accounts more valuable. Thus, the source also proves that genes play an important role in the way food (as well as energy) is processed. The research supports the ideas provided by Lieberman.
References
Lieberman, Daniel. The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health, and Disease. New York, NY: Vintage, 2014. Print.
Smil, Vaclav. Should Humans Eat Meat? (2013). Scientific American. Web.
Speakman, JR. “A Nonadaptive Scenario Explaining the Genetic Predisposition to Obesity: The “Predation Release” Hypothesis.” Cell Metabolism 6.1 (2008): 5-12. Print.